Cover for a strap buckle

ABSTRACT

A cover for a buckle installed on a strap disposed about a suspension cable or similar relatively large diameter article of indefinite length exposed to the atmosphere defines a square or rectangle having thin edges and a thicker center which includes a buckle receiving opening or aperture. The thickness of the cover proximate the aperture or opening is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the projection of the strap buckle from the cable. Installed over the strap buckle, the cover smooths the region of the cable exterior adjacent the buckle, thereby improving the ease and uniformity of application of the cable wrap as well as the durability and life of the cable wrap. The cover may be fabricated of a material such as plastic and has an inside radius which matches or substantially matches the outside radius of the suspension cable.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cover for a strap buckle and moreparticularly to a cover for a buckle or clasp on a strap disposed abouta suspension bridge cable or similar structure.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute priorart.

The mechanical heart of a conventional suspension bridge is the pair ofcables extending from the anchorage at one end of the bridge, over thetowers, to the anchorage at the opposite end of the bridge. Not only theloads carried by the bridge but also the bridge itself depends on thestrength and the continued integrity of the two cables.

Because suspension bridges are nearly always located near bodies ofwater, oftentimes salt water, and because these larger cables areassembled from smaller diameter cables which are themselves assembledfrom individual wires, thereby exhibiting significant surface area, theyare subject to deterioration by exposure to ambient conditions. In orderto minimize such deterioration to the maximum extent possible and thusextend the life of a very costly infrastructure component, it is knownto helically wrap such suspension cables with a plastic or elastomeric,heat sealable material to isolate and protect the cables from theambient.

Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,386 is directed to a Suspension BridgeCable Wrap and Application Method. The wrap and method essentiallyencapsulates the suspension bridge cable with a spirally or helicallywrapped strand or strip of, for example, chlorosulfonated polyethylenesynthetic rubber. This material can be pigmented to match a bridge colorscheme and thus, in addition to reducing deterioration of the bridgecables, also eliminates or reduces the need for painting them.

While the maximum benefit from the material and method is achieved wheninstalled when the bridge is originally built, application during laterrehabilitations and refurbishments will still reduce deterioration ofthe cables and lengthen their life and that of the bridge. With olderbridge rehabilitations, it is often necessary to circumferentially wrapthe cables with steel straps. Unfortunately, these devices, especiallythe clasps or buckles, project outwardly from the otherwise relativelyuniform exterior surface of the cable. Not only do these render thewrapping process more difficult but they also create adjacent regions ofenhanced stress which can result in puncturing of the cable wrap andloss of it effectiveness.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a cover for a buckle or clasp installedon a strap or band disposed about a suspension cable or similarrelatively large diameter article of indefinite length. The coverdefines a square or rectangle having thin peripheral edges and a thickercenter which includes an opening or aperture which receives the strapbuckle. The center thickness proximate the opening or aperture ispreferably equal to or substantially equal to the projection of thestrap buckle out from the cable. Installed over the strap buckle, thecover smooths the region of the cable exterior adjacent the buckle,thereby improving the ease and uniformity of application of the cablewrap as well as the durability and life of the cable wrap. The cover maybe fabricated of a material such as plastic and has an inside radiuswhich matches or substantially matches the outside radius of thesuspension cable.

Thus it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for useon bridge cables and the like.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover foruse on suspension bridge cables and the like having circumferentialstraps disposed about the cables.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a coverfor use on suspension bridge cables having thin edges and a thickercenter.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a coverfor use on suspension bridge cables having an aperture or opening forreceiving a buckle of a strap disposed about a cable.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a coverfor use on suspension bridge cables having buckled straps disposed aboutthe cables which improves the ease and uniformity of application ofcable wrap.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a coverfor use on suspension bridge cables having buckled straps disposed aboutthe cables which improves the durability and life of the cable wrap.

Further aspects, advantages and areas applicability will become apparentfrom the description provided herein. It should be understood that thedescription and specific examples are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a suspension bridge cableor similar article having circumferentially extending buckled strapsinstalled thereon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a suspension bridge cableor similar article having circumferential buckled straps and bucklecovers according to the present invention installed thereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a buckle cover according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, plan view of a buckle cover according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a full, sectional view of a buckle cover according to thepresent invention taken along the longitudinal axis of line 5-5 of FIG.3; and

FIG. 6 is a full, sectional view of a suspension bridge cable or similararticle with a buckled strap, buckle cover according to the presentinvention and spirally or helically wrapped protective material disposedthereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a suspension bridge cableor similar cylindrical article of indefinite length which is exposed tothe atmosphere is illustrated and generally designated by the referencenumber 10. The suspension bridge cable 10, when new defines a relativelyuniform cylindrical outer or exterior surface 12 and comprises aplurality of wire ropes 14 that themselves each comprise a plurality ofwires 16. Given this construction, as a bridge and its suspension cablesage, they may sag and become ovoid, oval or some distorted shape otherthan round. As part of a typical rehabilitation project, the cables 10are typically banded or surrounded by a plurality or circumferentiallyextending steel or stainless steel straps or bands 20 spaced axiallyalong the cable 10 which cooperatively return the cable 10 to a round ornearly round cross section.

The straps or bands 20 are disposed about the suspension bridge cable 10at predetermined intervals, tightened, and locked or held in theirtightened positions by deformable clamps, clasps or buckles 24. Theclasps or buckles 24 may be of any suitable construction and typicallywill retain or cooperate with a portion or segment 26 of the band orstrap 20 that is deformed or upset to permanently secure the adjacent,overlapping ends of the strap or band 20 together. Unfortunately, theclasps or buckles 24 project or protrude from the otherwise relativelyuniform curved or radiused exterior of the suspension bridge cable 10and interfere with the application and durability of a subsequentlyapplied spiral or helical membrane or wrap 60 (illustrated in FIG. 6) asdisclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,386 which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a buckle cover 40 according to thepresent invention is placed over each clasp or buckle 24 on eachcircumferential strap or band 20. The buckle cover 40 is preferablysquare or rectangular although it may have other outlines (footprints)such as oval or polygonal, if desired. The buckle cover 40 thus definesa square, rectangular or other shape outer or exterior, relativelysmooth top or outside surface 42 having peripheral circumferential edges44 and longitudinal edges 46. The term “circumferential” as used hereinrefers to the edges 44 of the buckle cover 40 that extendcircumferentially around the exterior surface 12 of the cable 10 whenthe buckle cover 40 is installed on the suspension bridge cable 10 as inFIG. 2 and the term “longitudinal” as used herein refers to the edges 46of the buckle cover 40 that extend longitudinally or axially along theexterior surface 12 of the cable 10 when the buckle cover 40 isinstalled on the suspension bridge cable 10. The directions or axesreferred to as circumferential and longitudinal are orthogonal, that is,oriented at 90° or right angles to one another.

The peripheral edges 44 and 46 of the buckle cover 40 are relativelythin, on the order of 0.0625 to 0.125 inches (1.588 to 3.175 mm.),depending primarily upon the material from which the buckle cover 40 isfabricated, and the thickness of the cover 40, that is, the distancemeasured radially from the peripheral edges 44 and 46, increases in bothdirections (circumferentially and axially) toward the center or middle48 where it is a maximum, typically of the order of 0.75 inches (19.05mm.). The outer surface 42 of the buckle cover 40 thus defines a surfaceradiused, or more broadly, curved or tapered, in both circumferential(around the cable 10) and longitudinal (along the cable 10) directions.

Preferably, this maximum thickness or radial projection is equal to orsubstantially equal to the distance the clasp or buckle 24 nominallyprotrudes or projects from the exterior surface 12 of the suspensionbridge cable 10. Buckle covers 40 that are thicker at their centers 48than the projection of the buckle 24 and thus extend beyond it willcause excess use of the cable wrap and render smooth application thereofrelatively more difficult whereas buckle covers 40 that are thinner attheir centers 48 than the projection of the buckle 24 and thus allow thebuckle 24 to extend or protrude beyond the outer surface 42 of thebuckle cover 40 risk distorting or damaging the cable wrap.

The buckle cover 40 defines a middle or centrally disposed opening oraperture 50 that receives the clasp or buckle 24 when disposed on thesuspension bridge cable 10. Preferably, the opening or aperture 40 issomewhat larger than but generally corresponds, mimics or approximatelymimics the plan shape (footprint) of the clasp or buckle 24 such that itmay readily receive it. The opening or aperture 50 may also berectangular, square or any other readily achieved shape, as desired.

At the present time, the preferred material from which the buckle cover40 is molded is 20% talc filled polypropylene. While this material ispreferable, it should be appreciated that the choice of material is notcritical and the buckle cover 40 may also readily be fabricated of wood,rubber, metals such as aluminum, many other plastics and paper, to namebut a few of the more common, readily available and low cost materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, depending upon the strength anddurability of the material from which it is fabricated, the buckle cover40 may include a gridwork of reinforcing webs or ribs 52 running in one,and typically and preferably both, orthogonal directions, that is bothcircumferentially and longitudinally. The bottom or inside surface 54 ofthe buckle cover 40 defines radii, curves or tapers that extend betweenboth circumferential edges 44 and both longitudinal edges 46. Thus, inthis embodiment, the inside surface 54 of the buckle cover 40essentially corresponds, i.e., is parallel to, the outer surface 42.This arrangement saves both weight and material when the buckle cover 40is fabricated of a material of suitable strength such as the above notedpolypropylene.

The outer edges 58 of the webs or ribs 52 which abut and contact theexterior surface 12 of the suspension bridge cable 10 as well as thecircumferential edges 44 of the buckle cover 40, though appearing flatin FIG. 5, are curved or radiused in an orthogonal direction and definea curved face. Preferably, the curve or radius is equal or substantiallyequal to the curvature or radius of the exterior surface 12 of thesuspension cable 10 such that the outer edges 58 of the webs or ribs 52and the circumferential, peripheral edge 44 of the buckle cover 40uniformly and intimately engage the exterior surface 12 of thesuspension cable 10.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing configuration of the bucklecover 40 having ribs or webs 52 provides suitable strength and integrityof shape when fabricated of polypropylene and other plastics. However,if the buckle cover 40 is fabricated of materials such as wood, rubberor paper, it may be molded or cut as a solid piece and thus eliminatethe ribs or webs.

FIG. 6 illustrates the suspension cable 10 with a strap or band 20 and aclasp or buckle 24 in place. Over the clasp or buckle 24 is a bucklecover 40 according to the present invention. Over the buckle cover 40 isdisposed a spirally or helically wrapped strand or strip of heatsealable material 60 such as Hypalon, synthetic rubber or other similarmaterial. To maintain the buckle cover 40 in place during the wrappingof the cable 10 with the heat sealable material 60, strips of duct tape(not illustrated) or a similar material or adhesive may be utilized.Note that the buckle cover 40 both provides a smooth path or course forthe strip of material 60 and that the clasp or buckle 24 does notproject or protrude into the material 60 to stress or distort it.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature andvariations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A buckle cover for disposition on an exterior ofa suspension bridge cable or the like comprising, in combination, a bodydefined by orthogonal circumferential and longitudinal directions, andhaving a peripheral edge, an outside surface, a face opposite saidoutside surface and a through opening in a center of said body, whereina thickness of said body increases from said peripheral edge to saidcenter along both said circumferential and longitudinal directions andwherein said face defines a longitudinal radius substantially equal toan outer radius of such suspension cable.
 2. The buckle cover of claim 1wherein a footprint of said through opening is substantially equal to abuckle on a strap disposed on such suspension bridge cable.
 3. Thebuckle cover of claim 1 wherein said body of said buckle cover is one ofrectangular and square.
 4. The buckle cover of claim 1 further includinga plurality of webs extending from said body and having outer edgescurved to conform to the shape of such suspension bridge cable anddefining said face.
 5. The buckle cover of claim 1 wherein said body issolid and fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting ofrubber, wood and paper.
 6. The buckle cover of claim 1 further includinga plurality of reinforcing ribs extending from an inside surface of saidbody and which define said face.
 7. The buckle cover of claim 1 whereinsaid body is fabricated of talc filled polypropylene.
 8. A buckle coverfor disposition on an exterior of a cylindrical article of indefinitelength exposed to the atmosphere comprising, in combination, a bodyhaving a peripheral edge, an outside surface, an inside surface oppositesaid outside surface and a through opening in a middle of said body,said body defining a circumferential direction and a longitudinal axis,a plurality of ribs extending from said inside surface and having outeredges defining a curve having a radius substantially equal to an outsideradius of such cylindrical article, and a thickness of said bodyincreasing from said peripheral edges and said outer edges of said ribsalong said circumferential direction and said longitudinal axis towardsaid through opening.
 9. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein saidthrough opening is sized to receive a buckle of a strap disposed aboutsuch cylindrical article.
 10. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein saidbody is fabricated of talc filled polypropylene.
 11. The buckle cover ofclaim 8 wherein said plurality of ribs are arranged along orthogonalaxes.
 12. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said cylindrical articleis a suspension bridge cable.
 13. The buckle cover of claim 8 whereinsaid outside surface and said inside surface are substantially parallelto one another.
 14. A buckle cover for disposition on an exterior of asuspension bridge cable exposed to the atmosphere comprising, incombination, a rectangular body having peripheral edges, an outsidesurface, an inside surface and a through opening in said body, said bodydefining a circumferential direction and a longitudinal axis, aplurality of ribs extending from said inside surface and having outeredges defining a curved face having a radius about said circumferentialdirection substantially equal to an outside radius of such suspensionbridge cable, and a thickness of said body increasing from saidperipheral edges and said outer edges of said ribs along saidcircumferential direction and said longitudinal axis toward said throughopening.
 15. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein two of said peripheraledges are parallel to said circumferential direction and two of saidperipheral edges are parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 16. The bucklecover of claim 14 wherein said through opening is rectangular and isoriented with a longer dimension parallel to said circumferentialdirection.
 17. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein said plurality ofribs are arranged along said circumferential direction and saidlongitudinal axis.
 18. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein said body ismolded of talc filled polypropylene.